This reader, a companion to The Open University's four-volume Art of the Twentieth Century series, offers a variety of writings by art historians and art theorists. The writings were originally published as freestanding essays or chapters in books, and they reflect the diversity of art historical interpretations and theoretical approaches to twentieth-century art.

Accessible to the general reader, this book may be read independently or to supplement the materials explored in the four course texts. The volume includes a general introduction as well as a brief introduction to each piece, outlining its origin and relevance.